Top Rankings
Waterloo Comm School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Iowa for:
Category
Attribute
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2026 school year, there are 18 public schools serving 10,484 students in Waterloo Comm School District. This district's average testing ranking is 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public schools in Iowa.
Public Schools in Waterloo Comm School District have an average math proficiency score of 57% (versus the Iowa public school average of 68%), and reading proficiency score of 57% (versus the 70% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 62% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Iowa public school average of 30% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (IA)
# Schools
18 Schools
1,323 Schools
# Students
10,484 Students
497,928 Students
# Teachers
764 Teachers
35,028 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
14:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Waterloo Comm School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 325 school districts in Iowa (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 71% has decreased from 84% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#307 out of 327 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
57%
68%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
57%
70%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
50%
63%
Graduation Rate
71%
90%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.74
0.48
% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
3%
3%
% Hispanic
15%
14%
% Black
29%
7%
% White
38%
70%
% Hawaiian
4%
1%
% Two or more races
11%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $16,749 is higher than the state median of $16,592. The school district revenue/student has grown by 14% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $15,668 is less than the state median of $16,163. The school district spending/student has grown by 14% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$176 MM
$8,262 MM
Spending
$164 MM
$8,048 MM
Revenue / Student
$16,749
$16,592
Spending / Student
$15,668
$16,163
Best Waterloo Comm School District Public Schools (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Kingsley Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
201 Sunset Rd
Waterloo, IA 50701
(319) 433-2210
Waterloo, IA 50701
(319) 433-2210
Gr: K-5 | 337 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #22.
Orange Elementary School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
5805 Kimball Ave
Waterloo, IA 50701
(319) 433-2880
Waterloo, IA 50701
(319) 433-2880
Gr: PK-5 | 518 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #33.
Lou Henry Elementary School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
312 Rachael St
Waterloo, IA 50701
(319) 433-2860
Waterloo, IA 50701
(319) 433-2860
Gr: K-5 | 460 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #44.
Hoover Middle School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
630 Hillcrest Rd
Waterloo, IA 50701
(319) 433-2830
Waterloo, IA 50701
(319) 433-2830
Gr: 6-8 | 848 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #55.
Poyner Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1138 Central Ave
Evansdale, IA 50707
(319) 433-1534
Evansdale, IA 50707
(319) 433-1534
Gr: PK-5 | 362 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #66.
Highland Elementary School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
812 Idaho St
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 433-2630
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 433-2630
Gr: PK-5 | 448 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #77.
West High School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
425 E Ridgeway Ave
Waterloo, IA 50702
(319) 433-2700
Waterloo, IA 50702
(319) 433-2700
Gr: 9-12 | 1,696 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #88.
Irving Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1115 W. 5th Street
Waterloo, IA 50702
(319) 433-2800
Waterloo, IA 50702
(319) 433-2800
Gr: K-5 | 353 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Rank: #99.
Kittrell Elementary School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1304 Oregon St
Waterloo, IA 50702
(319) 433-2910
Waterloo, IA 50702
(319) 433-2910
Gr: PK-5 | 576 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #1010.
Bunger Middle School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
157 S Roosevelt Rd
Evansdale, IA 50707
(319) 433-2550
Evansdale, IA 50707
(319) 433-2550
Gr: 6-8 | 440 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #1111.
Lincoln Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
302 Cedar Bend St
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 433-1990
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 433-1990
Gr: PK-5 | 463 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #1212.
East High School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
214 High St
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 433-2400
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 433-2400
Gr: 9-12 | 1,016 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #1313.
Lowell Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1628 Washington St
Waterloo, IA 50702
(319) 433-1900
Waterloo, IA 50702
(319) 433-1900
Gr: PK-5 | 538 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Rank: #1414.
Fred Becker Elementary School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1239 Sheldon St
Waterloo, IA 50701
(319) 433-2180
Waterloo, IA 50701
(319) 433-2180
Gr: PK-5 | 501 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #1515.
Central Middle School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1350 Katoski Dr
Waterloo, IA 50701
(319) 433-2100
Waterloo, IA 50701
(319) 433-2100
Gr: 6-8 | 469 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #1616.
Cunningham School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1224 Mobile St
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 433-2600
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 433-2600
Gr: PK-5 | 443 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: #1717.
George Washington Carver Academy
(Math: 47% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1505 Logan Ave
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 433-2500
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 433-2500
Gr: 6-8 | 455 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
Rank: #1818.
Expo Alternative Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: 19% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1410 Independence Ave
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 433-1930
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 433-1930
Gr: 6-12 | 561 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to Waterloo Comm School District?
Waterloo Comm School District manages 18 public schools serving 10,484 students.
What is the rank of Waterloo Comm School District?
Waterloo Comm School District is ranked #309 out of 325 school districts in Iowa (bottom 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of Iowa school districts for: Most diverse schools (Top 1%) and Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
What is the racial composition of students in Waterloo Comm School District?
38% of Waterloo Comm School District students are White, 29% of students are Black, 15% of students are Hispanic, 11% of students are Two or more races, 4% of students are Hawaiian, and 3% of students are Asian.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Waterloo Comm School District?
Waterloo Comm School District has a student/teacher ratio of 14:1, which is equal to the Iowa state average of 14:1.
What is Waterloo Comm School District's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $15,668 is less than the state median of $16,163. The school district spending/student has grown by 14% over four school years.
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